The former PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Chelsea, Middlesbrough and Marseille man, who turned 34 in August, has played on some of world football's biggest stages but is intrigued by the intense rivalry between the clubs north and south of the River Tyne.

"I have played in a lot of derbies and they are all different," Zenden told safc.com. "For example, Marseille against PSG is the clasico in France, the biggest game of the season, but it is not a derby.

"In Spain, Barcelona against Real Madrid is the biggest game - one you can't lose - but it is not a derby. The game against Espanyol is because they are the local rivals.

"I have played in the proper London derbies too - Chelsea against Arsenal, West Ham, Tottenham and even Fulham. They are all nice ones to play in.

"Although I have played against the other north-east clubs for Middlesbrough, everyone says you can't compare those games to Sunderland-Newcastle. I am actually quite excited to see what's coming."